March 23, 2011 - Senior Matt Vandermeer is heading east for the Dapper Dan Tournament held this week, beginning on Friday.

The MHSAA Wrestling State Champion in the 171-pound weight class is joining fellow grapplers from around the state as they make up the Michigan All-Stars team. They will take on the Western Pennsylvania All-Stars for 13 weight classes.

Vandermeer will wrestle in the 165-pound weight class and was selected by the coaching staff to wrestle on the team.

Joining him is 160-pound state champion Ben Ralston from Oxford, along with another Oxford wrestler Matt Fritsch and Holly's Estaban Gonzales.

The meet is held at the University of Pittsburgh.

"The Dapper Dan Tournament is considered the Rose Bowl of high school wrestling," said Pete Vandermeer.

It started in 1975 as Pennsylvania All-Stars took on the USA All-Stars. This is the first year Michigan was asked to have a team.

Next weekend Matt heads to the Senior Nationals, held March 31- April 4, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Placing All-State gave him the opportunity to attend the meet.

He has the chance to obtain All-American status at the tournament.

Wendi graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint with a degree in communications. She wrote for the Michigan Times college paper and Grand Blanc View before joining The Clarkston News in October 2007.